 |
New iPhone cradled in ceramic case?
 New iPhone cradled in ceramic case? 7/23/2008 It’s been hard to escape the news of the just-released 3G version of Apple’s iPhone, but an interesting debate about one feature of the gadget is starting to unfold: What the heck is the phone’s case made of? Most reporters and users assumed that the case (changed to either a black or white material, buyer’s choice, from the chrome found in the first version of the phone) was some high-strength plastic. But punk-tech researchers at WillItBlend.com – who specialize in analyzing what happens to various consumer items placed in a high-powered blender – were surprised when they put the new iPhone to their torture test. Instead of being quickly reduced to powder like the original, the 3G survived – for a while, at least. Two things are adding mystery to this question. Apple apparently announced prior to the unveiling of the 3G that the case would be “scratch resistant” and, in fact, users describe the case as being “remarkably” and “surprisingly” scratch resistant. The second development is that in 2007 Apple applied for a patent for a zirconia-based ceramic material “that surrounds and protects the internal operational components of the portable computing device, the enclosure including a structural wall formed from a material other than plastic that permits wireless communications therethrough; and an internal antenna disposed inside the enclosure. … wherein the portable computing device is capable of radio frequency communications and wherein the structural wall is formed from a ceramic material that is radio-transparent” and “constitutes two or more walls of the entire enclosure.” The application goes on to mention that Apple would produce the device with an extruded ceramic tube that, “In one implementation, the ceramic material is alumina. In another implementation, the ceramic material is zirconia. Some of the reasons for using ceramics over other materials are that it is structurally strong, stiff and radio transparent. This is especially important for wireless hand held devices that include antennas internal to the enclosure. Radio transparency allows the wireless signals to pass through the enclosure and in some cases enhances these transmissions. Other reasons for using ceramics is that they are highly scratch resistant, have color embedded in it (no paint or coatings), can be made into a wide variety of colors, and provides a variety of surface finishes including smooth and rough. Furthermore, the density of ceramics is typically higher than other materials therefore their weight is higher for the same sized part. This additional weight makes the handheld device feel more robust and it makes the device exude greater quality.” In all, it seems doubtful that Apple would actually use a novel material like a ceramic without bragging about it, Maybe someone in our ceramics research audience with access to real testing equipment will volunteer to put these rumors to rest. << Back to News Join our online discussion forum and comment on this article!
|
|
Join Now | My Profile | Calendar | Contact Us | Site Map | |
|
